14 Best Sunscreens for Acne-Prone Skin, According to Dermatologists

You can’t just slather any old sunscreen onto acne-prone skin. This skin type needs something lightweight yet simultaneously stable and long-lasting—something that doesn’t begin to melt off the face at the slightest hint of shine or sweat. To find the best of the best, we asked leading dermatologists which types of sunscreens they recommend for patients with acne-prone skin—plus exactly what to look for while shopping for them. Then we got to work, extensively researching and testing hundreds of formulas this year alone. We evaluate each product for all of the most important attributes: type (chemical versus mineral), ingredients, consistency, finish, scent, and—of course—how well the product actually prevents sunburn.

TL;DR: After countless wear tests, our top overall pick is—no surprise—the EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46. It’s consistently recommended by dermatologists as the gold standard in sun protection, and testers love it too. It is lightweight, absorbs readily, has a smooth and silky finish, and is suitable for all skin types. What more could you want?!

Best Overall: EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46, $43Best Drugstore: Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30, $14Best Skin Tint: Supergoop! Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint Sunscreen Skin Tint SPF 50, $44Best Mineral: Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+, $73Best for Sensitive Skin: Bubble Skincare Solar Mate Mineral Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40, $17FAQs: What to look for in sunscreen for acne-prone skin? | Meet the experts

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen (SPF 46)

Two dermatologists and one esthetician recommend EltaMD’s cult-favorite Clear SPF as their top facial sunscreen for acne-prone skin, so you know it’s good. “My absolute favorite SPF for acne-prone skin is Clear by EltaMD,” says Kristin Gunn, a celebrity esthetician. “With an SPF rating of 46, it uses micronized zinc oxide to protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. It also contains high-purity niacinamide (vitamin B3) to help reduce the appearance of blemishes and discoloration on your skin.”

Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist, and Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist agree. “I frequently recommend Elta MD UV Clear to my acne-prone or oily-skin patients for excellent sun protection that won’t promote breakouts, and my patients love it!” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. “Formulated with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin E, this daily moisturizer offers SPF 46 protection is fragrance-free, dye-free, and noncomedogenic,” she says.

Oh, and yes, our testers agree: “I like the creamy consistency of this facial sunscreen, since lightweight options can be kind of goopy and hard to work with,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley. “Still, this one doesn’t leave any sticky residue behind. It also has a higher SPF than most, plus is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.”

Active ingredients: Zinc oxide, niacinamideSPF: 40Oil-free: YesSize: 4 fl. oz.What we love: Lightweight; layers well; noncomedogenic; fragrance-freeWhat could improve: On the expensive side2/16

Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Absorbing Moisturizer (SPF 30)

You don’t have to break the bank to find an amazing face sunscreen for sensitive skin, according to Dr. Camp. With a mattifying finish, this SPF 30 daily moisturizer helps control excess oil and shine while protecting skin from sun burn and sun damage, he says. It also works well under makeup and doesn’t irritate reactive skin.

Glamour’s own associate beauty editor, Danielle Sinay, reaches for the product in the morning before long walks outside. She says it’s great for frequent touch-ups throughout the day, too, since it not only protects against UV rays but also helps rehydrate skin that’s been out in the elements.

Active ingredients: Avobenzone, octisalate, octocryleneSPF: 30Oil-free: YesSize: 4 fl. oz.What we love: Affordable; ultralight; mattifyingWhat could improve: Might be too drying for non-oily-skin types